Surguja district is located in the northern part of the Chhattisgarh state of India. Surguja is surrounded by various states viz., Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. Ambikapur is the district headquarter of Surguja and situated at an altitude of 603 meters. Surguja has a spread of over 22,237 sq. Km. Most of the terrain of the district is hilly and forested. A Majority of the inhabitants in this place belont to the Pando and Korwa tribes, who regard themselves as descendants of the Pandavas and Kauravas. Agriculture is the major occupation. Paddy is the main grain grown which contributes to the major part of their income. the natural resources available here include coal and bauxite.
Tourism Attractions:
Mainpat
Mainpat is called as shimla of Surguja. Tibbettians are rehabilitated at Manipat which run small industries of designer mat(Kalin). Tiger point and Buddha temple are famous attraction of Mainpat. It is about 45 km by road from Ambikapur.
Ramgarh Hills
These are supposed as the places where Lord Ram with his wife.Sita had stayed during their 14 year of Vanvas period . There are many such places describing the history of the old past Era, and all are being encountered as the Worship place. Books like Meghdutam by Kalidas and many inscriptions are written here. There are many caves in Ramgarh. It is believed to be the most ancient theater in the world.
Kailash Caves
These Caves were created by Saint Rameshwar Gahira Guruji. There are lot of temples in these caves like. On the occasion of Mahashivratri huge festival is organised here. Major attractions of this place are Temple of Shiva-Parvati, Yagya Mandap, Sanskrit School, Gahira Guru Ashram and Badh Math.
Deepadih
A village of Samri tahsil which is situated about 41.5 kms.to the southwest of Samri Block. About 1.5 kms. from the village there are a few ruined temples and tanks . According to some historians Deepadih was ruled by a Dravidian monarch, named Samni Singh. According to local tradition Samni Singh was killed in a battle with his contemporarth-y Tanginath. There are remains of Shiva temple of 8th-9th century, enshrining an artistic figure of Mahisasur Mardini. A large jalahari surrounded by Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikey, and Lord Vishnu with his all avtars and Goddess MahaDurga and erotic scences on decorated four pillars have been found there. Deepadih is about 70 km form Ambikapur.
Deogarh
Deogarh is situated on the bank of Rihand river. From ambikapur the distance of this place is about 45 kilometers. The archaeology of this place may date back to a very early age. Its Gauri-Shankar temple migh have been constructed by a Nagavansi ruler of the Bhara-siva dynasty during 110 B.C. to 78 A.D.
Tatta Pani
TattaPani is a source of hot water from where hot water is flowing continuously. Any body suffering from skin diseases is found fully cured by taking bath with its water, even the rice bundled in a piece of cloth are cooked. Tata-Pani is situated in Balrampur block 95 kilometers away from the Ambikapur. The Chhattisgarh government has decided to establish the first geothermal power plant of the country in Tattapani area.
Semarsot Wildlife Sanctuary
The sanctuary is located near Samemarsot on the Ambikapur-Daltongunj road. Semarsot is about 50 kms from Ambikapur district headquarters of Surguja district. The area is situated in the northern extension of Ramgarh hills in north-easterly direction. the nearest railhead is Jainagar near Ambikapur. The nearest airport is Varanasi. Tourist will find quality accommodation in the town of Ambikapur. The best time to visit the Semarsot Wildlife Sanctuary is from January to Many, when one can spot herds of deer, like Nilgai, Chital, Sambar, Chinkara. The 1997 census recorded a count of 1 Tiger and 19 leopards.
Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary
The Sanctuary is situated in Surguja district bordering with Utter Pradesh. Moran river draining into Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar in Uttar Pradesh passes through the sanctuary. The sanctuary is about 100 kms form Ambikapur. Bishrampur is the nearest railhead to the sanctuary. This is a slightly larger sanctuary than the Semarsot Wildlife Sanctuary and cover a ground 608.55 sq. kms. The froest cover consists of a mix of Sal and other deciduous trees. An estimate of the 1997 census suggests that there were 11 tigers and 15 leopards in the sanctuary at that time. December to March is the best time to visit this sanctuary. Other attractions of the sanctuary are Indian deer, 4-horned antelope, chitals and sambar deer, pythons, cobras striped hyenas, jackals, brown and red varieties of jungle fowl and green pegeons.
How to reach:
By Air
Raipur is the nearest Airport from Surguja district.
By Rail
Surguja is connected with Rail network. Direct trains are available from Jabalpur and Raipur. Bishrampur and Ambikapur are the main railway stations of Surguja district.
By Road
Surguja is connected with other parts of country with highways and other state highways.